Question
Will Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central produce the carrier’s official Bill of Lading form or a customizable Business Central Bill of Lading for shipping?
Bill of Lading Types Available in Business Central
Business Central does not automatically generate the carrier’s official Bill of Lading (BOL) form by default. Instead, it produces a customizable Bill of Lading document within the system. The user can print their own BOL, which can be customized with company details and logos.
Dynamic Ship enables integration to obtain the carrier’s official BOL document when the shipment is registered with the carrier. This official BOL is accessible alongside the customizable Business Central BOL.
How Business Central Handles Bill of Lading Documents
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central allows users to create customizable Bill of Lading documents within the system. Users can add company logos, input specific details, and adjust layouts to meet their operational and branding needs. Native Business Central does not automatically generate or retrieve official Bill of Lading forms from carriers due to the proprietary nature of these documents.
Dynamic Ship extends this capability by connecting with carriers through freight integration connectors. It electronically registers shipments and obtains the official carrier Bill of Lading, which becomes accessible inside Business Central.
This approach permits companies to maintain their customized internal Bill of Lading documents while also securing carrier-approved versions required for compliance and shipping.
If a shipment is not registered through Dynamic Ship’s carrier connectors, the official carrier Bill of Lading will not be available, and only the customizable Business Central BOL will be provided. In environments lacking integration with carriers, users must rely solely on existing Business Central documents. Customization options for the Business Central BOL require configuration within the system and may not be trivial without development resources. Some carriers may not provide electronic BOLs through integration, limiting access even with Dynamic Ship.
Related Shipping Tools and Their Roles in Bill of Lading Management
Dynamic Ship facilitates real-time freight carrier integration and shipment registration, enabling retrieval of official Bills of Lading from carriers. It does not replace Business Central’s native document generation but supplements it with carrier-authorized documentation.
Order Ship Express allows for streamlined parcel shipping label generation within Business Central but does not handle official carrier BOL documents or complex freight paperwork.
PrintNode Connector PowerTool enables automatic printing of shipping and freight documents, including Bills of Lading, but relies on Business Central or integrated apps to generate these documents. It does not create or retrieve BOL content.